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The Untold Story Of Bonnie Raitt's Partners: Why The Blues Icon Remains Single Today

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As of December 23, 2025, the legendary blues-rock singer, guitarist, and 13-time Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt is not currently married and is widely considered single. Her private life has often been a subject of curiosity, especially given the emotional depth of her most famous songs, but the iconic musician has only been married once, to actor Michael O’Keefe. Following her divorce over two decades ago, Raitt has maintained a highly private personal life, dedicating her time to her prolific music career and various activism efforts, which have continued to thrive into the current decade with her surprise 2023 Song of the Year Grammy win. The question of who Bonnie Raitt’s partner is today is met with the simple truth that she has chosen a path focused on her art and advocacy. While her only marriage ended in the late 1990s, her romantic history includes a few notable figures who played a role in her life during her formative and peak career years. This article explores the full story of her partners, her enduring marriage, and the reason her demanding career ultimately made a traditional partnership unsustainable.

Bonnie Raitt: A Full Biography and Career Profile

The foundation of understanding Bonnie Raitt's personal life lies in her extraordinary professional journey, which is marked by a blend of musical genius and unwavering social activism.
  • Full Name: Bonnie Lynn Raitt
  • Date of Birth: November 8, 1949
  • Place of Birth: Burbank, California, U.S.
  • Parents: John Raitt (Broadway star) and Marjorie Haydock (pianist)
  • Genre & Style: Blues, Rock, Folk, Country, Americana
  • Key Instruments: Vocals, Slide Guitar (she is renowned as a master of bottleneck slide guitar)
  • Debut Album: *Bonnie Raitt* (1971)
  • Breakthrough Album: *Nick of Time* (1989), which won Album of the Year at the Grammys.
  • Signature Songs: "I Can't Make You Love Me," "Something to Talk About," "Nick of Time," "Just Like That."
  • Grammy Awards: 13 competitive Grammy Awards from 31 nominations, plus a Lifetime Achievement Award.
  • Recent Major Win: Song of the Year at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards (2023) for her 2022 track, "Just Like That."
  • Relationship Status: Divorced; currently single (as of 2025).
Born into a musical family, Raitt attended Radcliffe College, but her passion for the blues led her to drop out and immerse herself in the burgeoning blues revival scene in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her career, spanning over five decades, has seen her successfully blend traditional blues with rock and pop sensibilities, creating a sound that is uniquely her own and establishing her as one of the most respected figures in American music.

The Only Husband: A Deep Dive into Bonnie Raitt's Marriage to Michael O'Keefe

Bonnie Raitt’s most significant and only marriage was to the acclaimed actor Michael O’Keefe, known for his roles in films like *Caddyshack* and *The Great Santini* (for which he received an Oscar nomination). Their relationship was a union of two creative souls, but one that ultimately could not withstand the pressures of two high-demand careers.

How Bonnie Raitt and Michael O'Keefe Met

The couple began dating in 1990, a pivotal time for Raitt, who had just achieved massive commercial success with her Grammy-winning album *Nick of Time* after years of struggle. O'Keefe, an actor and director, was also deeply involved in his own demanding film and stage career. They shared a connection rooted in mutual respect for each other's art and a commitment to social causes.

The Wedding and Years Together

Bonnie Raitt and Michael O'Keefe were married on April 27, 1991, in a private ceremony. Their marriage lasted nearly a decade, a period during which both their careers remained in high gear. Raitt released critically and commercially successful albums like *Luck of the Draw* and *Longing in Their Hearts*, while O'Keefe continued to work consistently in Hollywood. Their relationship was celebrated by fans as a pairing of two genuine, unpretentious artists.

The Reason for Divorce

The couple announced their separation in November 1999, with the divorce finalized around May 2000. While the split was amicable and largely kept private, the confirmed primary reason for their divorce was the relentless nature of their respective careers. Raitt's career demanded constant touring and recording, while O'Keefe's acting work required him to be on set in various locations for extended periods. The difficulty of maintaining a stable, shared life while constantly separated proved too great a challenge. The long-distance nature of their professional lives ultimately became the main factor in their decision to part ways. Both have since spoken respectfully of one another, maintaining that the love and respect they shared remained, even if the marriage did not.

Other Notable Relationships in Bonnie Raitt's Life

Before her marriage to Michael O’Keefe, Bonnie Raitt’s romantic life was connected to the blues community where her career began. These relationships were formative, influencing both her music and her understanding of the industry.

Dick Waterman (Blues Manager and Publicist)

During the 1970s, at the start of her career, Raitt was romantically linked to Dick Waterman. Waterman was a prominent blues aficionado, publicist, and manager who played a crucial role in the careers of blues legends like Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy. Waterman became Raitt's first manager, and their relationship was both professional and personal. It was through Waterman's connections that Raitt was introduced to and mentored by blues greats like Fred McDowell, who taught her the slide guitar techniques that would become her trademark. This relationship was foundational, connecting her deeply to the blues revival movement.

Euge Groove (Jazz Saxophonist)

In the years following her divorce, Bonnie Raitt was briefly rumored to have had an encounter or been romantically linked with jazz saxophonist Euge Groove (born Steven Grove). Euge Groove is a successful contemporary jazz artist who has also worked as a session musician for numerous high-profile artists. While details of this connection are sparse and were never a major public affair, the mention of this relationship demonstrates Raitt’s continued connection to the world of professional musicians.

Why Bonnie Raitt Remains Single and Focused on Her Career

The fact that Bonnie Raitt has not remarried or maintained a public long-term partner since her divorce from Michael O'Keefe is largely attributed to her unwavering commitment to her art and activism. After achieving sobriety in the late 1980s, Raitt’s focus shifted intensely toward her music and her role as an activist for environmental, political, and social causes. Her career, which had a major resurgence with *Nick of Time*, has required non-stop touring and studio work. For an artist who writes and tours consistently, the demands of maintaining a stable, traditional partnership are immense. In various interviews over the years, Raitt has expressed that she is comfortable and fulfilled by her life as a single woman. She has often spoken about the importance of her friendships, her band (including long-time members like Ricky Fataar and James "Hutch" Hutchinson), and her extended musical community, which serves as a kind of chosen family. Her stunning and unexpected win for Song of the Year at the 2023 Grammys for "Just Like That"—a song she wrote herself—reaffirmed her creative vitality and her focus on her solo artistic vision well into her seventies. Ultimately, Bonnie Raitt’s partner today is her music. Her decision to prioritize her creative freedom and her connection with her fans over a new marriage has allowed her to sustain one of the most respected and enduring careers in modern music history.
bonnie raitt partner
bonnie raitt partner

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